A 350-Paper Review Argues Most Sedentary Adults Are Eating More Protein Than They Need
A University of Wisconsin-Madison review links lower protein intake to improved metabolism and reduced cellular damage, while affirming higher protein still benefits muscle growth in people who train.
Singularity Wellness Editorial · 2026-07-31 · 1 min read
A 350-Paper Review Argues Most Sedentary Adults Are Eating More Protein Than They Need
Published July 31, 2026 in Cell Press Blue, a review of more than 350 studies by Dudley Lamming and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison argues that restricting protein — and specific amino acids including methionine, isoleucine and valine — can improve metabolic function and reduce cellular damage linked to aging, and that most sedentary adults likely eat more protein than they need. The authors are explicit this doesn’t apply evenly: they state it remains “crystal clear” that higher protein intake benefits muscle growth and exercise recovery in physically active people, and that current U.S. dietary guidance recommending 1.2–1.6 g/kg body weight reflects real, population-specific needs.